Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has smelled a rat in the Calangute Shack Owner John Lobo allegations.
Khaunte, for the second day in succession, has blamed a politician for such allegations pointing to the timing of the charges.
Though Khaunte has refrained from naming anyone, one knows who he is blaming.
“Allegations of Corruption levelled by Beach Shack Operators will be dealt with severely invoking Prevention of Corruption Act, but this End of Season timing and source of allegations being Calangute points to a Conspiracy angle,” said Khaunte in his tweet.
He further added, “Hoping that Our Shack Owners Fraternity are not being falsely instigated by Sinister Elements for Political Gains!”
Yesterday, Khaunte said he has directed Tourism Director to file a police complaint against the Prevention of Corruption Act on allegations made by Shack Owners Association Secretary John Lobo.
“I have directed the director to file a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Ensure action is initiated on the statement made by some stake holder,” Khaunte said.
The Shack Owners’ Welfare Society secretary, John Lobo, on Tuesday, alleged that the tourism department officials have been harassing the shack operators over minor discrepancies and demanding bribes.
“The allegations are very serious, and I will take it to a logical conclusion. Is the issue political? If required, we will initiate a judicial inquiry,” he said.
Khaunte hit back at John, saying that 30 per cent of shacks in Calangute are sub-let to Delhi wallahs.
“I don’t know when the allegation comes from on the last day of tourism season. I met John Lobo a few days back, but he did not say anything,” said Khaunte.
Lobo alleged that the tourism department officials have been harassing the shack operators over minor discrepancies and demanding bribes.
“We have been harassed every day, throughout the season, on the instruction of tourism minister Rohah Khaunte,” Lobo alleged.
“There is a place called ‘sopo’ at Guirim in Mapusa. Everyone goes there to pay bribe money. I’m being harassed because I did not go there to pay the bribe,” Lobo alleged.
He said the tourism department should issue notices if the shack operators had done some illegalities.
“But it is not done because the intent is something else,” he said.
Trending
- Projects Approved, Jobs Still Awaited: The Employment Dilemma in Goa
- MoS Shripad Naik calls for Goa Police reforms
- Union MoS Shripad Naik Opposes Solid Waste Treatment Plant at Bainguinim
- Verdict in Irish National McLaughlin murder case postponed for Friday
- Centre to streamline E-visa facility: MoS Jitin Prasada
- Crucial that we adhere to prescribed guidelines: Vishwajit
- Student Rape Case: Court denies bail to driver
- 28-yr-old succumbs to injuries after self-accident in Siolim